Tag: Jamal Murray

Andrew Wiggins and rookies drive Warriors to comeback win in Denver, 116-100

Andrew Wiggins records a double-double in a 15-point comeback win against the Denver Nuggets.

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The Warriors road trip to Denver started as a typical game for Golden State in the 2019-20 season. Golden State battled the Nuggets early to keep it close, but eventually, Denver’s talent overwhelmed the young Warriors squad.

Golden State fell down by 15-points against the playoff-bound Denver Nuggets, but a strong ending to the third quarter sprung the Warriors back into the game. The Warriors have struggled throughout the season to close games, yet in Denver, things were different. The Warriors outscored the Nuggets 34-19 in the fourth quarter to seal their comeback win, 116-100.

Golden State has registered wins in two of their last three games. With the defending champion Toronto Raptors coming to town next, the Warriors could get some help in the return of Stephen Curry from injury.

Andrew Wiggins

In Denver, Andrew Wiggins played one of his best games as a member of the Golden State Warriors. The former member of the Minnesota Timberwolves recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 assists — the second time in his career, he’s tallied 20 points and 10 assists in the same game. Wiggins added five rebounds, a steal and a block.

Rookie Run

Two picks from Golden State’s 2019 draft class made a significant impact in the Warriors comeback effort in Denver. Second-round pick Eric Paschall filled the stat sheet with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, with five rebounds, five assists and a steal against the Nuggets.

Golden State’s first-round pick Jordan Poole continues his impressive play at point guard recording 15 points, six assists and three rebounds. Poole added four 3-pointers on six attempts from long distance.

Beyond the arc

Since the All-Star break, the Warriors have struggled from 3-point range, shooting only 26.3 % from deep. However, against the Nuggets, Golden State performed their best “Splash Brothers” impression. The Warriors shot 18-of-41 from beyond the arc, with the Nuggets only hitting three 3-pointers on 20 attempts.

10-day contract turned starter, Mychal Mulder led the Warriors from long distance, adding five 3-pointers on 10 shots. Five other members of the Warriors added two or more makes from deep.

Toronto Raptors at Denver Nuggets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Toronto Raptors at Denver Nuggets sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis. picks and best bets.

The Toronto Raptors (42-17) visit the Mile High City Sunday to play the Denver Nuggets (40-19) at Pepsi Center at 6 p.m. ET. We analyze the Raptors-Nuggets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Raptors at Nuggets: Key injuries

Raptors

  • PF Serge Ibaka (knee) questionable
  • SG Fred VanVleet (shoulder) questionable
  • C Marc Gasol (hamstring) out
  • PF Dewan Hernandez (ankle) out

Nuggets

  • PF Paul Millsap (ankle) questionable
  • PF Noah Vonleh (ankle) questionable
  • C Bol Bol (foot) out

Raptors at Nuggets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 4:15 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Raptors 113, Nuggets 108

Moneyline (ML)

This is a premier cross-conference matchup featuring the current 2-seed in the Eastern Conference, Raptors (+135), and the Western Conference’s third-seeded, Nuggets -161. Both teams come into this game after rough losses and embarrassing in their own ways. Toronto has dropped back-to-back games, including a 99-96 loss to the lowly Charlotte Hornets, but the Raptors have an excuse as they were without Ibaka and VanVleet.

Denver was handed a 132-103 beatdown by the Los Angeles Clippers in their last game, Friday. Wait on the injury report before betting this game. If the Raptors get their starters back I like them on the moneyline because they are the better team, and paying $161 for a $100 profit with a Nuggets win is poor value.

PASS ON THE MONEYLINE.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Let’s gamble on the possible health of Toronto starters and BET RAPTORS +3.5 (-115). They are a better non-conference team against the spread than Denver. The Raptors have an 11-8 ATS record against the West and the Nuggets have a 9-10-3 ATS record versus the East.

Toronto generally bounces back from a loss, going 7-1 ATS in their last eight games following an ATS loss. Plus, the Raptors are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA and the Nuggets are mediocre on offense. The Raptors rank first in opponent points per game, second in opponent field-goal percentage and first in opponent 3-point percentage. Denver scores the 20th most points per game and ranks 16th ranked 3-point percentage.  

TAKE the RAPTORS +3.5 (-115).

Over/Under (O/U)

I have a slight lean toward the OVER 217.5 (-110) for several reasons. First, they average a combined 230.2 points per game on Sundays. Second, the Over is 7-2-1 in the last 10 meetings. Third, the combined Over/Under record of the officiating crew assigned to the game is 74-49 on the season. The one caveat is the banged-up Raptors have played to the Under in five straight games and have failed to score more than 100 points in four of those contests. 

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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NBA Player Prop Bet Payday: Pat Bev will lock up Jamal Murray

Highlighting Friday’s best NBA player props with odds, analysis and picks.

Friday’s 10-game NBA menu has a lot of tasty betting options. Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference teams highlight the slate with the Dallas Mavericks visiting the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder playing at the Milwaukee Bucks.

Here are some savory NBA player props to devour from Friday’s action:

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 3:20 p.m. ET.

Pat Bev will lock up Jamal Murray

(Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing – USA TODAY Sports)

The Denver Nuggets head to La La Land to play the Los Angeles Clippers — who are favored -5.5 — in their second meeting of the season. One of the key matchups in Nuggets-Clippers is L.A’s Pat Beverley vs. Denver’s Jamal Murray, and Pat Bev owns Murray in their head-to-heads: 

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Murray has failed to score 20 points in each of his last two games and has scored over 20 points just once in his 11 career games against the Clippers. Also, in Beverley’s last five games, the opposing starting point guard hasn’t scored more than 18 points and is averaging just 12 points per game in those contests.  

BET JAMAL MURRAY UNDER 20.5 POINTS (-112).

Place a legal sports bet on these NBA prop bets or other games at BetMGM.

Ball will fill up the box score on Cavs

(Photo credit: Ken Blaze – USA TODAY Sports)

The New Orleans Pelicans are in the midst of a playoff hunt as they host the Cleveland Cavaliers, who’s season is all but over.

This bet is more about the terrible Cavaliers defense than it is PG Lonzo Ball himself. Don’t get me wrong, Ball is playing pretty good basketball lately. He’s tallied more than 25 points, rebounds and assists in four of his past six games. Also, Ball is having his best shooting month of the season, averaging 44% from the field and 38.5% from 3-point land. However, the Cavaliers are giving up the most fantasy points to point guards this season. Plus, over their past five games, opposing starting point guards are averaging 29.6 points, rebounds and assists.

Bet Lonzo Ball over 25.5 points, rebounds and assists (-139).

Betting Beasley in Orlando 

(Photo credit: Jasen Vinlove – USA TODAY Sports)

The Minnesota Timberwolves are getting 7.5 points at the Orlando Magic. Watch out for SG Malik Beasley in this game because he’s been ON FIRE since joining the Timberwolves Feb.19. Beasley is averaging 21.7 points per game on 45.5% FG shooting and 41.8% on 3-pointers. He’s also shooting a whopping 9.6 3’s per game since being traded to Minnesota, where he’s now a starter. So even if Beasley is having an off night he still might eclipse his projected points total just based on shooting volume. One additional point: the Magic’s starting shooting guard — Evan Fournier — has the worst defensive rating in their starting lineup.

Bet Malik Beasley over 17.5 points (-106).

Want some action on these NBA prop bets? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Three takeaways from OKC’s 113-101 win over Denver

The Thunder beat the Nuggets on Friday night behind Chris Paul’s 29 points. Oklahoma City has now won 11 of their last 14 games.

The Oklahoma City Thunder returned to play after the All-Star break with a statement win on Friday night, defeating the Denver Nuggets 113-101 inside Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Here are three takeaways from that game:

Balanced scoring attack > dominant player 

Denver’s Nikola Jokic was the game’s high scorer with 32 points. While Jamal Murray also chipped in 21, it wasn’t enough to overcome a balanced scoring effort from Oklahoma City.

Seven of the nine players that saw action for the Thunder were in double-digits, and the only one not to score at all was Terrance Ferguson, who played 21 minutes and took only one shot from the floor.

Steven Adams (19), Danilo Gallinari (15), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (11), Dennis Schroder (11), Lu Dort (11), and Nerlens Noel (10) all contributed double figures while Abdel Nader scored seven in 16 minutes of play.

 

Chris Paul was a scorer, not just a facilitator

At times during the season, Chris Paul has been fine to take a back seat to high-scoring guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dennis Schroder. Billy Donovan even talked about OKC’s success being predicated on the unselfishness of the guards during his post-game press conference.

But on Friday, Paul was the primary scorer for the Thunder, scoring a team-high 29 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field. Paul also hit on four of his six 3-point attempts.

Both teams struggled from 3-point range

While Paul hit on four 3-pointers, he was by far the best 3-point shooter on Friday night.

As a team, OKC struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 34.6% (9-of-26). Danilo Gallinari, in particular, had an off-shooting night from range, making just 2-of-7 from beyond the arc.

As bad as Oklahoma City was, the Nuggets were even worse. Denver shot a paltry 22.2% from three, making just six of their 27 attempts. Will Barton was the Nuggets best weapon from beyond the arc, as it was, making 2-of-5 from 3-point land.

Chris Paul scores 29 to lead Thunder past Nuggets 113-101

Seven different players for Oklahoma City scored in double-digits. With the victory, OKC has now won 11 of their last 14 games.

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray combined to score 53 points for the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. But it still wasn’t enough to beat another balanced scoring attack from the Thunder.

Seven different players for Oklahoma City were in double-digits as they took down the Nuggets 113-101.

Chris Paul led the way with 29 points as the Thunder have now won 11 of their last 14. They improve to 34-22 overall and 18-12 inside Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Steven Adams went for another double-double against Denver, scoring 19 points to go along with a game-high 17 rebounds. Danilo Gallinari added 15 while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, and Dennis Schroder all chipped in 11 apiece. Nerlens Noel also had 10.

Oklahoma City clamped down on Denver in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Nuggets 35-24 in the final frame. A dunk by Nerlens Noel off an assist by Dennis Schroder gave the Thunder a 10 point lead with 7:15 to play.

It was another dunk, this one by Adams with less than two minutes left, that kept OKC solidly in control at 109-97.

Former Thunder forward Jerami Grant made his return to Oklahoma City on Friday for the first time since being traded to Denver during the offseason.

He received a nice ovation upon entering the game and told Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman that he has “a bunch of great memories” in Oklahoma City.

Grant played 21 minutes off the bench, scoring six points while shooting just 1-of-6 from the field.

Jokic scored a game-high 32 points while Murry added 21. Although the All-Star break was in between losses, it’s the first time that Denver has dropped back-to-back games since losing three in a row to the Celtics, Nets, and 76ers back in December.

Oklahoma City is back in action on Sunday when they host the San Antonio Spurs.

LeBron James throws down furious slam over Torrey Craig at Denver

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James imposed his will in the third quarter of their game against the Denver Nuggets.

As LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers tried to end their incredible first half of the season on a high note, LeBron showed that even against some of the best defenders in the NBA, even in Year 17, that he can make fearsome defenders look minuscule.

LeBron and the Lakers were locked into a tightly contested match-up, as anticipated, with the No. 2-seeded Denver Nuggets in their final game before the All-Star break. LeBron and Anthony Davis have both played like stars, scoring 15 points apiece, but James did something even bigger with a drive during the 3rd quarter of Wednesday’s game. When he was guarded by one of Denver’s more feared defenders, Torrey Craig, he made the 6-7, 221 lbs., forward look small.

LeBron James and the Lakers currently have a three-game lead over the Nuggets for the best record in the Western Conference. Coming into tonight, both teams had won on the other’s homecourt, though the Nuggets win at L.A. came without LeBron James.

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Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Denver Nuggets (36-16) are going to the Valley of the Sun to play the Phoenix Suns (21-31) at the Talking Stick Resort Arena Saturday night at 9:00 p.m. ET. We analyze Nuggets-Suns odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Nuggets at Suns: Key injuries

Nuggets

  • PF Jerami Grant (ankle) probable
  • SG Will Barton (knee) out
  • PF Paul Millsap (knee) probable
  • SF Michael Porter Jr. (ankle) out
  • C Bol Bol (foot) out
  • PF Mason Plumlee (foot) out

Suns

  • SF Dario Saric (ankle) questionable
  • SG Tyler Johnson (knee) questionable
  • PF Frank Kaminsky (knee) out
  • C Aaron Baynes (hip) out

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Nuggets at Suns: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 1:40 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Suns 117, Nuggets 109

Moneyline (ML)

Phoenix snapped a four-game losing streak by destroying the Houston Rockets last night, 127-91, while the Nuggets have been playing well recently winning four of their last five games.

The absence of Barton could be major for the Nuggets. Barton is third on the team in points per game and is second in Win Shares. Since the Suns +135 actually have a better winning percentage on the road (11-14) compared to home (10-17), and the Nuggets -162 is too chalky of a number, PASS on moneyline wager in Nuggets-Suns.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Phoenix is 3-5 against the spread record on back-to-backs, but both sides play comparably in their given rest situations: The Suns are 7-6 ATS with a rest disadvantage and the Nuggets are 7-6-3 ATS. Also, the spread situation favors the Suns—Phoenix has a 4-3 ATS record when getting 3-4.5 points and Denver is 1-5-1 ATS when laying those range of points. But, the Suns have covered their last three home games versus Denver.

When you factor in the Suns’ 5-4 ATS record as a home ‘dog and the Nuggets’ 6-8-1 ATS record as a road favorite then I like SUNS +3.5 (-110) in this game. 

Over/Under (O/U)

The officiating crew assigned to Nuggets-Suns leans me to BETTING OVER 218.5 (-106). Their combined Over/Under record on the season is 45-32 with an average total score of 223.9. Furthermore, Phoenix has a 6-2 O/U record on the second game of back-to-backs, the Over is 5-1 in the last six meetings in Phoenix and the Over is 6-0 in Nuggets last six games as a road favorite.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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LeBron James watches Lakers drop third straight game vs. Nuggets

Anthony Davis tried to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a win but L.A. was unable to slow down the depth of the Lakers.

Without LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers lost a season-worst third-straight game on Sunday night against the Denver Nuggets, 128-104. Not even the return of Kyle Kuzma and a solid game from Anthony Davis were enough for L.A. to secure a home win to snap a season-worst losing streak.

Davis had 32 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Lakers but aside from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Avery Bradley, nobody else on the Laker hit two 3-pointers or more. Kuzma had a strong showing in his first game back from an ankle injury with 16 points, four rebounds and two blocks. But the Lakers’ defense was non-existent on Sunday.

Davis held up his end of the bargain offensively as the Lakers leading scorer early on with 19 points in the first half. The Lakers had to adjust their offensive supply chain without James in the lineup and they struggled mightily without him. They failed to crack 35% from the 3-point line and they had just 18 assists compared to 31 for Denver.

Without LeBron, Kuzma had nine first-half points but the Lakers still found themselves down 55-53 at halftime. The Lakers outrebounded Denver 30-23 in the first half but they couldn’t maintain a lead for much of the night and Denver managed to close the game to 45-44 by the end of the game.

Also, treading water without LeBron James sounds about as easy as being deep water snorkeling with aqua sox. Hopefully for the Lakers, their excursion without James in the middle of the season won’t last for a long time.

Davis is also feeling banged up in addition to James. The best thing for the Lakers and James to hear is that they have two full days before welcoming Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers on Christmas Day.

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Portland Trail Blazers at Denver Nuggets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Portland Trail Blazers at Denver Nuggets sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Portland Trail Blazers (10-15) and Denver Nuggets (14-8) will do battle at Pepsi Center at 10:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Trail Blazers-Nuggets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Trail Blazers at Nuggets: Key injuries

Trail Blazers: SG/SF Rodney Hood (Achilles) suffered a ruptured Achilles’ tendon during a game on Friday and he is done for the season, a tough blow for a team already shorthanded in the frontcourt with PF Zach Collins (shoulder) out until March and C Jusuf Nurkic (leg) still months away from a return.

Nuggets: SG/SF Jamal Murray (trunk contusion) is expected to be able to play, while PF Paul Millsap (foot) isn’t as much of a certainty.

Trail Blazers at Nuggets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Nuggets 118, Trail Blazers 107

Moneyline (ML)

The Nuggets (-250) come with a steep price on the moneyline, and they’re not worth the risk with only a $4 return on a $10 bet to win outright.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The NUGGETS (-6.5, -105) are nearly even money if you’re willing to lay the points, and you should. The last time these teams met in Portland Oct. 23, it was Denver coming away with a 108-100 win.

Fast forward to Thursday … the Blazers are just 3-7 ATS in their past 10 road games and 1-4 ATS in the past five as underdogs. While the Nuggets are 1-4-1 ATS in their past six overall, they’re 4-1 ATS in the past five against losing sides. The boys from Rip City are just 4-10-1 ATS in the past 15 meetings with the Nuggs, too.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 213.5 (-115) has cashed in nine of the past 12 meetings, but go lightly until it is determined whether or not the Blue Arrow (a.k.a. Murray) is able to play.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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LeBron James leads offense, Davis leads on defense to win at Nuggets

LeBron James and Anthony Davis made big plays down the stretch to hold off a Nuggets come back to get the Los Angeles Lakers another win.

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t shoot all that well and they looked like they were in trouble at times, but their superstars made huge plays late to show once again that they are the class of the Western Conference through the first quarter of the season.

Anthony Davis had 25 points and 10 rebounds while LeBron James had 24 points and nine assists, but the two stars made the key plays late after the Nuggets pushed them down the stretch.

James came through with a huge putback dunk on a miss by Davis to put the Lakers up 112-106 with just over a minute left in Tuesday’s win. The Lakers also made several key stops in the final few possessions, with Davis–who entered the game with flu-like symptoms–stoning the Nuggets three times at the rim in the final few minutes and also doing an excellent job on star center Nikola Jokic (13 points, 4-12, five turnovers, eight assists).

The Lakers started out hot and ended the first half with the same conviction, as the starters for the Lakers pushed them to a 60-49 lead at halftime of their showdown against the Nuggets. After hearing questions about their schedule in the first 20 games, the Lakers responded with one of their best halves of basketball on both ends so far this season.

But the Nuggets, being a very tough team in their own right, fought back to turn this early December showdown of the two best teams in the West into a regular season classic.

But the Lakers don’t have much time to rest as they will get on a plane shortly after the game as they head to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz for the second night of a back-to-back.